“We are happy about the win but we need to get better,” coach Mike Rumph said following Friday night’s 35-8 victory over the Chaminade-Madonna Lions. The Patriots got off to a strong start with a touchdown run for the first score of the game, and were able to maintain the lead throughout.
The story of the game was the defense, specifically the secondary, which held the lions to zero completions throughout the entire game. Rumph explained that the secondary has put a great deal of work in but the team won’t be able to win if the front line can’t stop the run.
The strong, consistent defense led to more opportunities for the offense. Fumbles and a highlight reel punt return touchdown took some stress off the offense, led by quarterback Torrance Gibson, who is being watched carefully by scouts from schools all over the country, including Ohio State University.
Gibson did not have a big game passing the ball, but it was not needed as the defense and the running game managed to get the team a lead and keep it. The only points scored by the Lions came late in the fourth quarter to make the score 35-8.
Next week, the Patriots will travel to take on Mainland, an undefeated team who they beat 6-0 in a tight showdown last season. “We will study films and get the problems fixed, and we should have a game plan for Mainland by Tuesday,” Rumph said after noticing the problems on both the offensive and defensive side of the ball.
The practice and preparation will begin shortly following the victory, but on Saturday the team will take a break from practice and help out the community. For a few hours on Saturday morning the team will travel to Sun Life Stadium to help serve over one million meals to underprivileged people age 50 and older.
No matter what the circumstances, the team tries to work and stick together, and while they will have a fair amount of work to do before the game next week, they will take a moment to celebrate Friday’s victory because “In the end,” Rumph said, “We are proud of the W.”
